Vehicle stop for expired tags in Sonora leads to drug arrest of Merced man
A routine traffic stop for expired registration tags in Tuolumne County led to a drug-related arrest earlier this month, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The stop occurred around 10:30 p.m. April 15 near State Route 49 and Mackey Ranch Road, CHP Sonora said in a news release.
Officers pulled over a gray 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe after observing expired tags and contacted the driver, 29-year-old Estella Rodriguez of Merced, along with her passenger, 30-year-old Andrew Birge of Merced.
During the investigation, officers located a backpack belonging to Birge that contained a large quantity of drug paraphernalia, according to the CHP.
A search of Birge’s person also revealed a controlled substance he was allegedly concealing. Authorities said he additionally had multiple active warrants for his arrest.
Birge was taken into custody and booked into the Tuolumne County Jail on multiple drug-related charges and the outstanding warrants, CHP said.
Rodriguez was issued a citation and released at the scene.
